By Libby Cluett
lcluett@mineralwellsindex.com

The community lost an icon Wednesday when Thelma Simmons, 89, passed away at her home.

Whether seeing her at Friday night football games, the Mineral Wells Senior Center or Bethel Baptist Church, those close to her say “everybody” knew her.

“She was loved and respected for years in this community across racial lines. She loved everybody, she loved black people, white people, Hispanic people – all people,” former Mineral Wells Mayor Clarence Holliman said at Simmons’ retirement ceremony.

“Which is true, she didn’t discriminate and loved people no matter what color they were,” said longtime friend Holly Hoover.

Earlier in the year, Simmons retired from playing the piano at her church, but before long, she was back playing the ivories at Bethel.

“She played the piano at Bethel Baptist for more than 54 years and led the choir for many years and taught Sunday school,” said Hoover. “She also worked in the public school system for many years. She was a very patient woman who loved children.”

“She was very strong in her church and married to one of the pastors. She outlived three husbands – Jesse, Bro. Hilliard and Albert Simmons,” she added.

Thelma Flora Lee Jackson Jesse Hilliard Simmons was born in Detroit, Texas, on Feb. 8, 1920. Hoover said she did not have any biological children but lots of adopted children.

“She was raised by an aunt who she held very dear. When she and Mr. Simmons got married they helped raise a couple of his nephews for a few years,” said Hoover.

“She was different things to different people,” she added. “To me, she was one of the most loved people in my entire life and ranked in there behind my parents and grandparents.”

Simmons worked for Hoover’s family, the Hamiltons, and helped with her older brothers. But Hoover said that when she was born Simmons told her mother she did not work with babies and would not hold Holly. But – somewhat like her retirement – Hoover said, “After she held me, she just wouldn’t put me down.”

Simmons’ singing, as well as her piano playing, made an indelible memory for many, including Palo Pinto County Judge Mike Smiddy. He said he recalled hearing Simmons sing for the first time at First Baptist Church’s 100th anniversary. She sang “His Eye is on the Sparrow.”

“There’s nobody I’ve ever heard sing it like that,” he said.

“That’s always one I can remember her singing for years,” Hoover said. “She sang it at a lot of funerals.” Hoover said she requested the song as part of Simmons’ service.

Willie Casper said that being in the funeral business he recalls Simmons playing the piano frequently. “She was an excellent pianist,” he said.

At Bethel Baptist Church, longtime friend and fellow church member Archie Wilmer said Simmons served as music and choir director and helped with the babies choir, the young people’s choir, the young adults and the seniors choir.

Her favorite hymns included “How Great Thou Art” and “If Everybody Was Like Jesus, What A Wonderful World This Would Be,” he said.

“She was known almost statewide she was a Progressive West Texas District Association musician,” Wilmer added. “She handled devotions and music for Baptist association conventions.”

Simmons shared her music and energy beyond the church walls.

“Aside from her church she was very involved with the senior center and you couldn’t hardly make her miss a Friday night football game,” said Hoover.

“She was really involved with kids – football, basketball and watched baseball on TV and attended some local little league games,” she added. “She played basketball when she was a kid and I imagine she was very good at it.”

“She was a great woman that was loved by many. And loved for her singing and personality,” said Wilmer.

He said Simmons was very involved in the community – singing with the Silver Notes, taking music to nursing homes, and worked with Dunbar Neighborhood Council. He said she “attended practically all of the [Mineral Wells] junior high and high school football games and high school basketball games – beginning with the girls’ [game] through the boys’ games.

Wilmer said Simmons was a member of the Order of Eastern Star, female organization, which he said is part of the Masonic family and she was part of the Red Hats, a senior center group.

“She was still pretty active, she didn’t slow down at all,” he said. “She went daily to the senior center and was always at choir rehearsals and at her various monthly meetings.”

Hoover said she was so involved with the senior center that she had a special chair. In November 2006, Simmons won the crown of Ms. Senior Palo Pinto County.

“She was so pleased about being Ms. Senior,” said Hoover, adding that Simmons was thrilled with her tiara.

“She was a very social girl. She was an outstanding leader in the community. My mom said she led by example. She led a life devoted to Jesus and it was evident in every step she took and everything she said,” Hoover added.

Simmons’ funeral is scheduled Saturday, Sept. 19, at 1 p.m. at First Baptist Church. Baum-Carlock-Bumgardner Funeral Home is making arrangements and will host a visitation Friday, 6-7 p.m.